Kanto, Japan · Sea / Beach
Miharashi Hill transforms completely by season: a sea of blue nemophila in mid-April, and fire-red kochia bushes in mid-October, with tulips, sunflowers, and cosmos at other times of year; extremely photogenic but very seasonal, since outside those roughly 2-week windows the park loses much of its appeal. It also has an extensive network of cycling trails, with rental at the entrance.
Train — Limited express Hitachi/Tokiwa from Tokyo/Ueno to Katsuta, no transfer, ~75-90min, ¥4,000 with a reserved seat, + bus to the park entrance (~15min, ¥400, ¥790 for a round-trip day pass). Also reachable from Oarai (train with a transfer at Mito, 24min, ¥620, + the same bus from Katsuta).
Miharashi Hill covered by about 5.3 million blue nemophila (baby-blue-eyes) in mid-April, a sea of flowers merging with the sky.
The same hill, transformed in mid-October by 32,000-40,000 round kochia (burning bush) shrubs turning a deep fire-red.
A few minutes from the park: a market open to the public where you can eat kaisendon and sashimi at market prices, very popular with local families.
Some 260,000 bulbs of 230 varieties planted in a forest clearing, in late April, coinciding with the end of the nemophila.
A kilometre and a half of sand with surfable waves right next to the park, at the end of the local train line.
A barbecue area with equipment rental next to the large open lawn: the way Japanese families spend the whole day here.
An extensive network of bike paths within the park, with rental available at several entrances.
A million daffodils under the pines between March and April, the first big bloom of the year in the park.
A curious shrine of golden torii dedicated to hoshiimo, the boiled and dried sweet potato of which this district produces most of Japan's supply.
Coastal plants and sculptures on the sand facing the Pacific, the quietest and least photographed part of the park.
A day onsen next to Ajigaura beach, with the open ocean in front, ideal after a long day at the park.
A Japanese music festival in mid-July inside the park itself, the successor to the historic Rock in Japan Festival held here until 2022.
A succession of blooms from May to October in an 8-hectare meadow, for anyone not travelling during the two weeks of the nemophila or the kochia.
A small local line with old diesel railcars and wooden stations from the early 20th century, a classic among railway enthusiasts.
A small family amusement area inside the park, with a Ferris wheel and several rides charged individually, separate from general admission.
A shrine with a tunnel of laurel trees more than 300 years old, much visited by people praying for luck in draws and lotteries.
Guided visits to the section closed to the public of a spring of great ecological value, with an interpretation centre.
A traditional farmhouse reconstructed inside the park, with the irori hearth lit and workshops on how people lived and worked the land in the past.
Short pottery sessions and work with plant materials inside the park itself, designed to be done with children.
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